Gujarat Titans (GT) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face off in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1, with the contest potentially decided by bowlers despite the high-scoring nature of the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru face Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1. Key players to watch include RCB's Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya, and GT's Shubman Gill, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan, and Jason Holder.
Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi visit former Afghanistan pacer Shapoor Zadran in a Greater Noida hospital where he's treated for Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)
Rashid Khan achieved a significant IPL milestone, entering the top 10 wicket-takers with figures of 4/33 against Rajasthan Royals. His stellar performance, earning him Player of the Match, saw him surpass Lasith Malinga on the all-time list. Gujarat Titans secured an emphatic 77-run victory.
Gujarat Titans crushed Rajasthan Royals by 77 runs after posting 229/4, powered by Shubman Gill’s 84 and Sai Sudharsan’s 55. Rashid Khan starred with 4/33 as Rajasthan collapsed for 152 despite a quickfire 36 from teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Gill later mocked Rajasthan online, posting: “Pink city, blue result. Khamma Ghani.”
Gujarat Titans surged to second place with a dominant 77-run victory over Rajasthan Royals, significantly boosting their playoff chances to 72.52%. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan starred with the bat, while Rashid Khan impressed with the ball. Despite the loss, Rajasthan Royals maintain a higher overall playoff probability due to their easier remaining schedule.
Gujarat Titans secured a commanding 77-run victory over Rajasthan Royals, propelled by Shubman Gill's explosive 84 and Rashid Khan's match-winning 4/33 spell. Titans posted a season-high 229/4, with Gill and Sai Sudharsan building a formidable opening stand. Royals faltered chasing the target, collapsing under Rashid's brilliance and succumbing to 152 all out.
Gujarat Titans secured a commanding 77-run victory over Rajasthan Royals, propelled by Shubman Gill's explosive 84 and Rashid Khan's match-winning 4/33 spell. Titans posted a season-high 229/4, with Gill and Sai Sudharsan building a formidable opening stand. Royals faltered chasing the target, collapsing under Rashid's brilliance and succumbing to 152 all out.
Shapoor Zadran is battling a rare life-threatening immune disorder, HLH, in a New Delhi hospital. His family has urgently appealed for A-positive blood donors through an emotional message shared by brother Ghamai Zadran. Former teammates including Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi have rallied around the ex-Afghanistan pacer during his critical health battle.
Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran is currently hospitalized in New Delhi, battling a rare and severe immune condition called Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Family and former teammates are supporting him as he undergoes intensive medical treatment.
Despite being the world's top bowler, Rashid Khan was once rejected at an under-19 national trial in Afghanistan after being forced to choose between batting and bowling. He chose batting, faced a few balls, and was dismissed. Later, he made history as the first Afghan to captain and win an IPL match.
Shapoor Zadran, the Afghan pacer who famously dismissed Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag for 10 and 8 runs in India's 2012 T20 World Cup opener, is battling the rare and life-threatening condition Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in a New Delhi hospital. The 38-year-old, who played 80 internationals for Afghanistan between 2009 and 2020, first fell ill in October last year with what was initially diagnosed as TB. He arrived in India on January 18 and is being treated in the ICU, with his family describing his fighting spirit as unchanged from his cricket days.
Mumbai Indians, struggling at the bottom of IPL 2026, face a resurgent Gujarat Titans. MI seeks to revive their season against GT's strong bowling attack, led by Prasidh Krishna and Rashid Khan. Key player battles, including Shubman Gill vs. Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma vs. Kagiso Rabada, will be crucial.
Afghan cricketer Rashid Khan reveals in a new book that he was offered citizenship by both India and Australia but declined, choosing to continue representing Afghanistan. The 27-year-old spinner, who plays in the IPL for Gujarat Titans, said a high-ranking Indian Cricket Board official during the 2023 IPL season offered him Indian documents and residency. He quoted himself telling them: 'If I don't play for my country, I won't play for any other country either.'
